$2.95

This is a high-quality, easy to use 28 pin ZIF socket that is 0.3" wide. Makes for easy connecting or programming to DIP ICs. Uses high conductivity terminals create solid connections. Can also be used for smaller pin packages.

ZIF Socket 28-Pin 0.3" Product Help and Resources

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The ZIF Socket has 28 header pins on the bottom. The pins where slightly bigger than a standard DIP chip but I was able to insert the ZIF Socket into one of the 28-pin sockets [ https://www.sparkfun.com/products/7942 ] soldered on an Arduino Uno R3's development board. It required a little bit more force to put into the socket but there was still continuity between the DIP socket pins and the ZIF socket. You just have to make sure that there is enough clearance around your board's DIP socket for the ZIF socket to plug in. Here's one example that illustrates how I was connecting the ZIF Socket onto an Arduino Uno => https://forum.arduino.cc/index.php?topic=348834.msg2413205#msg2413205 .

Note: Keep in mind that since the pins are bigger. There were reports that the DIP socket will probably not be the same after placing the ZIF socket into the DIP socket => [ https://www.sparkfun.com/products/9175#comment-4eaad848757b7fd351004b84 ]. This is probably due to the stress applied to the socket beyond a certain point causing a deformation and the socket not being able to return to its original position.

I would like to know if this can be plugged in to the DIP socket on the Arduino Duemilanove. If there are any tricks to making it work, what are they? I am aware that the flat pins on these ZIF sockets run at 90 degrees to the flat pins of an IC. Please, only respond if you have actually done it and know the answer. Thanks.

I bought this to use on my Arduino Duemilanove. It will fit into the DIP socket using a bit of force (make sure to support the board on a flat surface so as not to crack it). Be advised however that once you install this ZIF on your DIP socket it permanently alters the DIP contacts because of the 90 degree pin orientation. You will not be able to install the atmega directly back into the Duemilanove DIP socket due to the stretching of the contacts. That being said, the socket works great if you don't mind it being permanent :)

I bought this for that same purpose! I haven't swapped any chips yet, but I like it :). And why? 'cause it's awesome looking on my Arduino, makes it look cooler. Red and Blue, now I need something White!

What does it matter if it's a copy of another product that has the same function? I've used this exact model and it works fine. Unless you're a lawyer don't worry about patent number and whether or not it's fake.

I used one of these on my Arduino Uno and it works great for programming ATMega328 ICs as stand-along Arduino chips. (I don't use it to load the bootloader, just sketches.) Installation clearance was limited for direct installation as others have commented. I soldered 0.10" headders to the socket pins, then soldered it onit to my Uno after desoldering the IC from the PCA. I damaged one of these ZIF sockets because of overheating while trying to line up the header pins during the soldering but it worked fine the second time and the whole thing works to this day. (Maybe I should do an Instructable...)

I'm looking a socket for my atmega328 in an upcoming project and I heard the other 28 pin socket that sparkfun carries tends to be very tight for the spacing, I want something I can remove if I need to reprogram/update/replace the chip. would this be a better option? would this put any unnecessary stress on the pins?

Have you considered carrying the 20-pin versions of these? I've gotten a few from EMSL but everywhere else only seems to carry the 28 and 40-pin versions. 28 is great for ATmegas, but for all the ATtiny chips, the 20-pin version seems like a better fit, especially the 2313 and 261 series.

I successfully used one of these in concert with the PTH Arduino kit to build a programmer for bare Arduino chips. The pins on this are a size bigger than the holes for the socket, but I was able to line them all up and then flow solder back down the vias and make a connection.

Got it today. Great! Someone asked in the past whether this fits on the arduino main board. Yes but not easily. Here's what I did. I tried to push this thing into the arduino main board and it wouldn't want to go in. Well, I pushed it into my breadboard and it went in alright. I then popped it out of my breadboard. With the pins straightened out by the breadboard, it went in arduino main board eventually. Very happy. Loaded blink on my old atmega168 and ran it on a breadboard. I'll keep the zif on my main board from now on.

Customer Reviews

3.7 out of 5

Works as expected.

Note that I received a RED one as pictured (pointing that out due to another comment concerning blue ones) and it works as expected. I've had no issues with bad connected and it seats in my breadboard surprisingly well.

1 of 2 found this helpful:

The BLUE ZIF socket not what was received. The RED units do not function properly.

I received the RED version of this device as others have also commented.

I ordered 10 of the 28 pin ZIF sockets and from what I got I think you may have received a bad batch.
Out of the 10 sockets I can only get one to work reliably.

You might want to check out a few in your stock.
When I ordered from you I also ordered 10 from ADAfruit (ID 382). Curiously, they have the same part number but they are NOT the same thing.
The ones from Adafruit have a couple of bars across the slot area and they are blueish in color.

The BLUE version from ADAfruit works fine.

The problem with the RED units is they do not fully open. The metal tabs only partially open which prevents a proper insertion of the next chip. I can get one or two open/close cycles on the RED units, then it will fail to open completely. If you remove it from the circuit and snap it a few times it can be made to work again, but that is too much trouble.

The BLUE units I got from ADAfruit all work fine. I think the RED units are some kind of weird rip-off that suffers from a quality issue.

Hi,
Sorry to hear that you ran into issues. We'll be happy to check out our stock. Also, if you would like to return the units that did not work, please contact our returns team for more assistance.
https://www.sparkfun.com/returns
Thanks,

Does what it says on the tin

It's a little tricky with breadboards - it likes to pop out, and requires a little force to push it back in. Otherwise, works quite well. After soldering together a makeshift Uno shield, I've had no problems with it. Opens and closes nicely.

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